Norway votes in close election race

Euronews

Early voting in Norway’s general election has got underway as opinion polls put the left leaning coalition neck and neck with a splintered centre-right opposition.

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg reiterated his Labour party’s main campaign message when he cast his ballot yesterday – he told voters to look at how well Labour has handled the economy through the global downturn.
Stoltenberg’s government has been credited with having a safe pair of hands and is pledging to continue championing the state’s role in the economy.
Earlier Stoltenberg held his final televised debate with his main challenger, Siv Jensen of the right-wing Progress Party.
Known by some as the Iron Lady, Jensen advocates curbing state involvement, cutting taxes and implementing stricter immigration rules.
But should Progress do well, a coalition with the centre-right Conservatives is not likely as the two parties have vowed not to work with each other.
Conservative leader Erna Solberg, who has been described as “prime minister material”, preferred to spend her day in the the countryside where her party has a strong base.
The Conservatives are the only ones hoping to put EU membership back on the agenda – despite Norwegians having twice before rejected joining.
For results and analysis of Norway’s election join euronews this evening for an election special starting at 21.00 Central European Time.